Thirty-five years since The Go-Betweens’ seminal album ‘16 Lovers Lane’ captured the hearts of music fans across the globe and Australian songwriter, composer and multi- instrumentalist Amanda Brown has officially released her debut solo record ‘Eight Guitars’.
The album, which is the culmination of more than two decades of work behind the scenes and sees eight brand new solo tracks – each featuring a different guest guitarist drawn from a pool of regular collaborators and friends – coming together, marking Browns highly anticipated return to the rock music world, after stepping away to compose and produce music for the screen.
Alongside the release of ‘Eight Guitars’, the Sydney artist has also unveiled her third single from the album entitled Light Lingers On and co-written with Steve Kilbey from The Church. The song was originally composed for the film Look Both Ways but ended up on the cutting room floor. Listen to Light Lingers On’featuring Damien Lane here now.
In addition to Kirin J Callinan, who featured on the debut track Freedom Song from the album back in February, ‘Eight Guitars’ also features award winning film composer and multi-instrumentalist Damien Lane, Brisbane songwriter Danny Widdicombe, Brendan Gallagher (Karma Country), Bruce Reid (Dragon), Shane O’Mara (Paul Kelly, Tim Rogers) and solo artist Daniel Champagne.
“The songs on Eight Guitars were written over a long period of time – some are from films while others were composed during periods between screen commissions†said Amanda Brown. “In 2020, facing the prospect of both the music and film industries shutting down due to the pandemic, the time seemed right to bring Eight Guitars to fruition with producer Tony Buchen, who relocated from Los Angeles to Sydney halfway through production.“
“Ironically I wouldn’t have had the self confidence to release a solo album back when I first started writing some of these tracks. But I’m a postmenopausal woman and there’s a certain freedom that accompanies being metaphorically invisible. That’s allowed me to pursue a conceptual idea and complete it in my own time.â€
The thought process behind the guest guitarists was twofold. “I like to collaborate and all these players bring their own unique influences to the album. Unifying the songs through one instrument seemed like a good way to reconnect with and celebrate some of the musicians I’ve worked with over the years†said Amanda. “I also had in the back of my mind that this would make a great theatre or festival show with all the guest guitarists. Admitedly it was a pipe dream but it’s fortuitously now happening at the City Recital Hall in Sydney on June 30 with Rob Snarski and Lindy Morrison also on the bill.â€
Before turning to composition, Amanda Brown built a noteworthy career as a multi- instrumentalist in several bands, including iconic Australian band The Go-Betweens with whom she recorded ‘Tallulah’ and ‘16 Lovers Lane’. Outside of her own projects, Brown has also recorded and performed with a wide range of artists including REM, Silverchair, The Church and David Bridie.
In 2000, Amanda Brown began working as a composer, with her imaginative, emotional and heartfelt style affording her the ability to work across TV and movies, with credits that include the award-winning Babyteeth, Brazen Hussies and The Secrets She Keeps.
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Thanks to SGC Media
